Cambridge City Council set to slash funding for arts, sports and community activities by 25%

City council funding for arts, sports and community activities in Cambridge is set be slashed by 25 per cent.

The new Labour administration proposes to reduce the total amount of grants offered annually from £1.2 million to £900,000 from next year after the authority’s Government funding was cut by 40 per cent.

Last night there were warnings the work of voluntary organisations would inevitably be reduced, but the council does propose to freeze the budget at £900,000 for three years to offer applicants some certainty.

This year 150 groups received funding under the council scheme, with major grants being made to organisations such as the Cambridge Ethnic Community Forum, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Museum of Cambridge alongside smaller handouts for community organisations.

Cllr Richard Johnson, the executive councillor for community, arts and recreation, said he proposed to change the grant priorities to put greater emphasis on projects which reduce social or economic inequality.

He said: “It’s been a tough decision because of the Government cuts but we believe we have got the best out of it for local groups with the cash available.

“Our underlying aim is to target those who need it most.”

Under the current scheme, The Junction venue at Cambridge Leisure Park receives a ring-fenced grant of £86,890 annually but in future it is set to have to go through the same bid process as everyone else.

Cllr Johnson is set to approve the shake-up at a meeting of the community services committee next Friday.